NEWS ARCHIVE

Senate hopefuls respond to Grassley's SCOTUS nominee stance

Two Democrats seeking to replace Iowa's long serving US Senator in Washington made themselves clear when it comes to their opinion on Sen. Charles Grassley’s refusal to consider a President Obama Supreme Court nominee.

Two Democrats seeking to replace Iowa's long-serving U.S. senator in Washington made themselves clear when it comes to their opinion on Sen. Charles Grassley’s refusal to consider a President Obama Supreme Court nominee.

“He is wrong,” said Senate candidate Bob Krause.

“The president has a constitutional duty to nominate the Senate, has the constitutional duty to act on that nominee.” said Sen. Robb Hogg.

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Hogg said there is no president to Grassley's stance, and the Senator is the only thing standing in the way of a full complement of Justices on the Supreme Court bench by the start of the next session this fall.

“I’ve looked back to every justice who's died since 1910, and the longest period of time to fill that position has been six months and 12 days, and that was in 1910,” said Hogg.

Krause said it is time to put partisan politics aside and for Grassley to be the statesman he was in the 1980s and 1990s.

“To play games with how we are going to attribute our laws weakens the faith of many Americans in the credibility of our government,” said Krause.

Hogg said this is not to gain a political edge in the upcoming election, rather it is about doing what is right for the people you serve.

“I understand there are going to be political ramifications to everything that happens,” said Hogg.

Both Hogg and Krause said it is disappointing there does not appear to have been any progress made in the meeting between President Obama and Senator Grassley.